Route description & photos

This is arguably the ultimate "pub lunch walk"!  It's not a hillwalk; it is almost entirely flat, the only element of ascent and descent being in the crossing of the footbridge over the busy A34 bypass.  Allow 1.5 to 2 hours - and be rewarded by good food and drink at the Egerton Arms, Chelford, at the conclusion of the route.

Start from Nether Alderley Mill SK10 4TW.  There is a small parking area directly in front of the mill, but please note that one of the few spaces is a designated blue badge space.  Alternative parking is available at St Mary's Church, 160m away on the opposite side of the main road from the mill.

Cross the road and follow the lane down to the church.

At the end of the parking area, keep left to follow the footpath into the churchyard.

Continue straight ahead and leave the churchyard via a kissing gate.

Follow the trodden path along the left hand side of the field.

Pass through a narrow wooded section - "Rector's Plantation".

Continue through farmland - usually populated by lots of sheep here - to approach the A34 main road.

Pass through a gate to access the footbridge over the A34.

On the other side of the footbridge, the footpath initially bears left through a wooded section.

The footpath continues between fences and hedges, and over boardwalks (take care if damaged) towards Heawood Hall and Heawood House.

Again, the footpath continues to be defined between fences and high hedges.

Maintain the direction straight ahead as you pass the entrance for Heawood House.  Ignore the various roads and tracks going off in other directions.

Beyond Heawood House, the route returns to farmland and the direction is maintained.

Continue straight ahead on the path, which for the most part is well-defined, trodden into the grass.

Pass under the power lines and through a couple of kissing gates.

Continue via wooden stiles between Yarwoods Farm on the left, and Chandler's Farm on the right.

Join the access road from Yarwoods Farm as it sweeps in from the left.

Near to Mere Farm, turn left onto the road, then almost immediately right into Stubby Lane.

Stubby Lane is a muddy track rather than a road.  Follow it for most of its length.

Before the end of Stubby Lane, look out for a signed public footpath on the right hand side (picture above right).

This path continues in several guises - stick with it in a consistent WNW direction.

Some quarry warning signs may be spotted as Chelford Quarry Lakes are approached.

The footpath becomes almost a causeway between the Chelford Quarry Lakes.

There isn't any access to the quarry lake shores on either side of the paths.

As the quarry lakes are left behind, the B5359 Alderley road is approached.

Turn left onto the road, cross over, then leave the road behind on a public footpath.

The path passes beside some farms and cottages.

Continue through the underpass under the railway line.

Turn sharp right out of the underpass onto the "Buzzy Bees Woodland Walk" trail.

After a few hundred yards, this walk turns sharp left.

The path passes behind residential properties on a housing estate on the edge of Chelford village.

At the end of the path, turn left onto Carter Lane, which is a track at this point.

Continue straight ahead at the dogleg, passing residential properties.

You now emerge back onto Carter Lane, which is now a properly tarmaced road on a residential estate.

At the end of the road, the main A537 Macclesfield to Knutsford road is reach.  Turn right, and arrived at the Egerton Arms.

Enjoy the excellent food and beer - you've earned it!  After partaking in the rest and hospitality, you could consider reversing the route to walk back to Nether Alderley.  Alternatively, catch the 88 bus from Chelford village to Monks Heath, and then the 130 bus (from the Bengal Tiger Lily) up to Nether Alderley Mill.  Or treat yourself to a taxi!